weConnect January 13, 2021

WE'RE HERE! Please reach out for support & assistance! Call Us 1-800-640-4553 . . . . . . . . Email Us sdpc@sdparent.org . . . . . . . . Message Us Facebook / Website . . . . . . . . In-Person Make an appointment . . . . . . . . Events Calendar . . . . . . . . Follow Us ‌ ‌ SD PARENT CONNECTION OFFICES CLOSED SD Parent Connection offices will be closed on MLK Day, Monday, January 18, 2021. FEBRUARY ONLINE STATEWIDE SIBSHOP Saturday, February 6th 10 AM- 11 AM CT 9 AM -10 AM MT Sibshops are for brothers and sisters, ages 8 to 13, who have a sibling with special needs or disabilities. Sibshops are a time to do action packed activities, play goofy games, and talk with other siblings who really know what it is like to have a sibling with a disability.  Click Here For More Information and To Register Registration is limited to the first 15 sibs. An additional session will open if there is enough interest.   ** Deadline to register is Wednesday, January 27th

JANUARY VIRTUAL PARENT TRAINING SERIES The Statewide Family Engagement Center and SD Parent Connection have partnered to create one-hour trainings to help parents and families understand school related topics and help children experience success at home. Each training has accompanying resources.

UPCOMING SESSIONS 7:30 PM CT / 6:30 PM MT Supporting Social-Emotional Development at Home January 19- REGISTER This session will present strategies parents can use to help their children develop social-emotional skills. Using Children's Stories to Teach Social Skills January 26- REGISTER Learn how to use the stories, themes, and characters in children's stories to teach your own children important social skills.

JANUARY SESSIONS TO VIEW ANYTIME Understanding Social-Emotional Learning of Young Children Social and emotional readiness serves as the foundation for success in many educational settings. Understanding Red Flags of Concerns for Your Child Learn more about recognizing red flags of concerns in a child's behavior and how to support your child in their social-emotional development.

VIEW JANUARY LUNCH AND LEARN ON-DEMAND TOPIC: Assistive Technology Tips to Help Level the Playing Field This presentation is an overview of Assistive Technology and how to integrate various tools to increase independence in the areas of communication, reading, and writing. Several tips on how to utilize/adapt materials to provide increased accessibility options are shared. Presented by: Terri Noldner, MA CCC-SLP, Assistive Technology Coordinator at Teachwell

SOCIAL STORY: GETTING A COVID-19 VACCINE

Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities created this social story to help those with developmental disabilities understand what is going on around them and prepare them as the COVID vaccine becomes available.

BACK TO SCHOOL RE-ENTRY EDUCATION SERIES SD Parent Connection and the Department of Education, Special Education Programs produced a Parent Education Series to help students and families navigate school during these times of change and uncertainty. View the Self-Paced Series Anytime

WEBINAR: Discovering Affordable Technology Access for Families Thursday, January 21st 12 PM MT/ 1 PM CT An increasing number of EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) resources are becoming "green" (paperless) or virtual, but that means families with limited access to internet may be left in the dust. This presentation will share immediately usable information about free or affordable technology access that is available to families with lower socio-economic status. This technology access is required/funded by the federal government, and often is not common knowledge among early intervention professionals. Come and learn more about teleintervention (including virtual learning, apps, webinars) and more wonderful electronic resources out there! Click Here For More Information And To Register

ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP: Virtual Teacher Round Up Wednesday, January 27th 3-4 PM CT Guardianship isn't always the answer for students with disabilities as they reach the age of 18. Become better prepared to address this topic with parents! Brian Poelstra, Disability Rights SD and Carrie Geppert, Division of Developmental Disabilities, will explore with us the Alternatives to Guardianship. Brian's legal expertise in the field, along with Carrie's personal expertise, should lend itself to a beneficial hour of all of us. For more information, contact Cindy at cindy.kirschman@state.sd.us

LEND DEVELOPMENTAL CLINIC, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA Anyone can access the South Dakota LEND Developmental Clinic interdisciplinary evaluation services for a child ages 6 months to 8 years of age who they think may have a developmental concern. The evaluation is offered as a free service to provide experience for the LEND trainees and to improve the health status of children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. There are openings for 2021 clinics.  Visit www.usd.edu/medicine/center-for-disabilities/lend or contact Lisa, SD Parent Connection at lsanderson@sdparent.org for more information and/or required forms.

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This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $96,750; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by US Department of Education, HRSA, HHS or the Federal Government.